Easter Vigil 8PM (SP)

The entire liturgical year culminates in the Easter Vigil, an ancient liturgy celebrated on the night before Easter Sunday.  Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter.  The Easter Vigil is packed with breathtaking symbolism and meaning. 

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil will be held at 8PM at the St. Peter site.  It will also be livestreamed to our parish YouTube channel:
   

COVID Adjustments

Usually,  the faithful are handed candles as they enter a dark church.  After the holy Easter fire is blessed, the priest, deacon, and servers pass the blessed flame to everyone in the Church.  

This year,  since all would need to remove their masks and exhale forcefully to extinguish them, small lit candles will not be used by the faithful.  Instead, the Paschal candle and other decorative candles will be used to bring the church out of darkness.  

Usually, after the water of the Baptismal font is blessed, the faithful are invited to come forward, dip their hand in, and bless themselves with the holy Easter water.

This year, small bottles for Holy Water will be available after Mass for those who wish to bring some of the Holy Easter water home with them instead.

Usually, a small reception is held after the Vigil to celebrate the beginning of Easter and welcome any new members who have joined our church through the Vigil Baptismal Liturgy.  

This year, while we do have one catechumen entering at the Vigil, a reception will not be held.  Additional members will be brought into the Church through the sacraments of initiation at a later date in the Spring.